Tag: Stephen Silas

Rockets announce official hiring of Stephen Silas as head coach

Friday’s official announcement by the team includes reaction from Silas, Houston owner Tilman Fertitta, and new GM Rafael Stone.

The Rockets finally made it official on Friday afternoon: Stephen Silas has replaced Mike D’Antoni as Houston’s head coach.

Silas’ duties will start immediately as the team prepares for the 2020 offseason (including the draft and free agency) and gears up for the 2020-21 NBA season, which is likely to begin in December or January.

Friday’s official announcement by the Rockets includes reaction from Silas; owner Tilman Fertitta; and new GM Rafael Stone. Per team policy, contractual terms were not disclosed.

Here’s how the announcement reads:

The Houston Rockets today named Stephen Silas the 14th head coach in franchise history. Silas spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach on Rick Carlisle’s staff in Dallas, helping guide the Mavericks to the highest offensive rating in NBA history in 2019-20.

From Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta:

This is an opportunity that was well-earned and long overdue for Coach Silas and we’re thrilled to have him as head coach. Stephen is a basketball lifer who is highly regarded around the league.  Our basketball operations leaders Rafael Stone and Eli Witus, along with Tad Brown and Patrick Fertitta, conducted an extensive search of many worthy candidates, but in the end we knew Stephen was the right person for the job.  I know Stephen cannot wait to get to work, and I hope Rockets fans are as excited as I am for the upcoming season.

From new Rockets GM Rafael Stone:

The success Coach Silas had with Dallas last season reinforced the notion that he is more than ready to lead his own team. The strengths of our core players are a great fit for Coach Silas’ system and ideology and I’m looking forward to working with him to find ways we can continue to improve our roster.

From new Rockets head coach Stephen Silas:

I’d like to thank Mr. Fertitta and Rafael for this tremendous opportunity as well as all of the mentors I’ve had over the years, especially my dad, Paul. Basketball has been a huge part of my life since the day I was born, and this is the moment I’ve strived for. I’ve been fortunate to have coached some great players over the course of my career and am excited to work with this incredibly talented team as we build upon the success they have established.

The 2019-20 season marked Silas’ 19th as an assistant coach in the NBA.  His first stint as an assistant came with the original Charlotte Hornets in 2000-01 after being promoted from scout.  At the time, Silas was the youngest assistant coach in the league at 27 years old.

Silas joined the Mavericks in 2018-19 and was tasked with helping improve the team’s offense.  Dallas averaged 15.1 3-pointers made this past season, marking the most by any team in NBA history besides the Rockets. The Mavericks shot 36.7% from behind the arc, which is the highest ever percentage by any team to average at least 14.0 made 3-pointers. Dallas also ranked second in the league in fewest turnovers (12.7 per game) and was tied for third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.94).

Prior to joining Dallas, Silas spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, including as their associate head coach during the 2017-18 season. As a member of Steve Clifford’s staff in 2015-16, Silas helped lead the Hornets to their highest win total in 14 seasons.

Silas spent four-and-a-half seasons as an assistant with Golden State from 2006-10 and worked with Hall of Fame coach and offensive guru Don Nelson. Silas was also on his father Paul Silas’ staff in Cleveland during LeBron James’ first two seasons in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

In addition to his NBA experience, Silas has coached at camps and clinics around the world to help promote the league and the game of basketball.  Upon graduation from Brown University in 1996, where he played basketball for four seasons, Silas spent three years as the assistant executive director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

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Rafer Alston reportedly interested in coaching role with Rockets

Alston played in Houston from 2005 until 2009, and he wants to join the staff of new coach Stephen Silas as an assistant, per Kelly Iko.

Former NBA point guard Rafer Alston is “seriously interested” in coaching the Houston Rockets as part of the staff of assistants for new coach Stephen Silas, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Alston played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1999 until 2010, including parts of four seasons in Houston from 2005 through 2009. As a starter with the Rockets, Alston averaged 12.6 points (35.0% on 3-pointers), 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 35.9 minutes per game.

Nicknamed “Skip to my Lou,” Alston was best known for his ball-handling abilities, as well as his passing skills and leadership as a floor general.

Alston hasn’t coached in the professional ranks, but he has coached at the youth level and certainly has in-depth knowledge of NBA players and routines. As a player, he was well regarded for his high intelligence.

Other reported possibilities for Houston’s assistants on the Silas staff include a trio former NBA head coaches in John Lucas, Nate McMillan, and Jeff Hornacek. There is no timetable for a potential announcement.

If Alston isn’t hired by the Rockets, he is also interested in other NBA coaching possibilities, according to Iko’s report.

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Report: Stephen Silas ‘blew away’ Rockets with offensive vision

“I’m told he blew the Rockets’ brass away with his presentation,” ESPN’s Mark Jones said of Silas. “His offensive vision for Houston.”

As a top assistant coach in Dallas, Stephen Silas had a key role in the offense that recently became the most efficient in NBA history.

It appears that he already has a vision for how that could potentially work in his new job as head coach of the Houston Rockets.

Here’s what ESPN’s Mark Jones said of the team’s hiring process:

The Houston Rockets won this hire. Stephen Silas ran the Mavs’ offense. I’m told he blew the Rockets’  brass away with his presentation. His offensive vision for Houston.

Luka [Doncic] said: “I’m going to miss him a lot, Houston got a great coach, he’s a big reason for my growth as a player.”

Doncic took to social media to express his support for Silas, as did team owner Mark Cuban. Head coach Rick Carlisle concurred.

In addition to Houston executives, key players (including All-Star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook, presumably) were on board with the Silas hire following a Zoom call on Tuesday night, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “A key last step to feel as if all were on board with the decision,” Feigen said, citing a source.

In the end, it appears that they were, and Silas edged out finalists Jeff Van Gundy and John Lucas for the job. At only 47 years old, Silas doesn’t have the prior head coaching experience that those two do. He does, however, have a plan — and that plan seems to have secured him the job.

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NBA community reacts to the Houston Rockets’ hire of Stephen Silas

From NBA personnel to the media members who cover the league, here’s a sampling of the league’s reaction to Silas being hired in Houston.

From young superstar Luka Doncic to veteran guard Jamal Crawford, and head coach Rick Carlisle to owner Mark Cuban, many around the NBA were thrilled to see Stephen Silas land his first job as a head coach.

Now 47 years old, Silas has worked in the NBA’s assistant ranks for approximately 20 years. His career began in Charlotte, when his father (Paul Silas) was the head coach, and he has since worked for five other organizations — leading up to his stint as the top assistant with Doncic, Carlisle, and Cuban’s Mavs over the last two seasons.

Besides Doncic, other marquee players to have flourished with Silas include Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Golden State’s Steph Curry.

As of Wednesday, Silas is now the head coach of the Houston Rockets, where he is replacing Mike D’Antoni. It remains to be seen how he will fare with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, but based on his long track record in the league, Silas clearly has plenty of believers and admirers.

From social media, here’s a sampling of Wednesday’s reaction — both from NBA personnel and media members who cover the league.

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Mavs coach Rick Carlisle on Stephen Silas: ‘Great hire for Rockets’

Silas was the top assistant to Carlisle in Dallas, where the Mavs just finished off a season with the most efficient offense in NBA history.

Add head coach Rick Carlisle to the long list of Dallas Mavericks to praise former co-worker Stephen Silas for his new job in Houston.

Now 47 years old, Silas will be an NBA head coach for the first time with the Rockets. Based on his accomplished track record after 20-plus years in the assistant ranks, he appears quite worthy of the promotion.

Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, here’s what Carlisle — a former NBA champion and Coach of the Year — said regarding Silas, who was his top assistant coach with the Mavs over the past two seasons.

A great hire for the Rockets. Stephen did a great job for us here in Dallas helping us get back to the playoffs. Thrilled for him and his family.

The success Silas and the Mavs had last season — when Dallas was the most efficient offense in NBA history, statistically — played a large role in Houston’s decision to hire him as Mike D’Antoni’s replacement.

Mavs superstar Luka Doncic and team owner Mark Cuban also praised Silas upon hearing the news of his agreement with the Rockets.

Here’s a rundown of Silas’ coaching career to date, which now spans more than 20 years. He’s the son of former NBA head coach Paul Silas, who coached in Charlotte at the time of Stephen’s first job.

1999–2000 Charlotte Hornets (scout)
2000–2002 Charlotte Hornets (assistant)
2002–2003 New Orleans Hornets (assistant)
2003–2005 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2005–2006 Washington Wizards (scout)
2006–2010 Golden State Warriors (assistant)
2010–2018 Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (assistant)
2018–present Dallas Mavericks (assistant)

Silas’ deal with the Rockets was broken by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “The Rockets were sold on Silas’ offensive ingenuity and his pedigree [with] Rick Carlisle, Steve Clifford, and his father, Paul Silas,” Woj tweeted.

“Silas has coached some remarkable guards in his NBA career, including Luka Doncic, Kemba Walker, and Steph Curry,” Woj added. “Now, he gets to run offense for [James] Harden and [Russell] Westbrook.”

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Report: Potential Silas assistants include Hornacek, McMillan, Lucas

With Stephen Silas taking his first job as an NBA head coach, the Rockets are keen on surrounding him with experienced assistants.

With Stephen Silas set to become a head coach for the first time, the Houston Rockets are reportedly planning to surround the 47-year-old with assistants who do have prior lead experience in the NBA.

Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, candidates for the assistant coaching roles beneath Silas include John Lucas, Jeff Hornacek, and Nate McMillan. Lucas was a finalist for the head job alongside Silas and Jeff Van Gundy, and he already has relationships with many Rockets players as the team’s director of player development since 2016.

Now 66 years old, Lucas was previously a head coach with San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Cleveland in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Meanwhile, the 57-year-old Hornacek led the Phoenix Suns from 2013 through 2016 and the New York Knicks from 2016 through 2018. In 2013-14, he was the NBA’s runner-up for Coach of the Year.

Known best for his motion offenses, Hornacek has plenty of familiarity with Houston from his playing days in the 1990s with the Utah Jazz. (In his six seasons there, Utah faced the Rockets in the playoffs three times.)

Finally, the 56-year-old McMillan has served as head coach with three different teams: the Seattle SuperSonics (2000-2005), the Portland Trail Blazers (2005-2012), and most recently the Indiana Pacers (2016-2020). Known as a player for pesky defense, that trait has seemingly translated well to McMillan’s coaching style, with the Pacers ranking third and sixth in the NBA in net defensive rating over the last two seasons.

With Silas and Hornacek known best for their abilities on offense, McMillan might serve as the de facto defensive coordinator — similar to the role Jeff Bzdelik played for Mike D’Antoni from 2016 through 2019.

There is no clear timetable for when the assistants will be named.

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Rockets to hire Dallas assistant Stephen Silas as next head coach

“The Rockets were sold on Silas’ offensive ingenuity and his pedigree [with] Rick Carlisle, Steve Clifford, and his father, Paul Silas.”

Four years after he was a surprising finalist in the search resulting in Mike D’Antoni as head coach, Stephen Silas has agreed to a deal with the Houston Rockets to become D’Antoni’s replacement.

The agreement was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “The Rockets were sold on Silas’ offensive ingenuity and his pedigree [with] Rick Carlisle, Steve Clifford, and his father, Paul Silas,” Woj tweeted.

“Silas has coached some remarkable guards in his NBA career, including Luka Doncic, Kemba Walker, and Steph Curry,” Woj added. “Now, he gets to run offense for [James] Harden and [Russell] Westbrook.”

As a top assistant coach in Dallas for the last two seasons, Silas and the Mavs just finished up a season in which they had (statistically) the most efficient offense in NBA history. Now 47 years old, Silas is well regarded for his work ethic, tactical creativity, and player development skills.

Silas gained valuable experience working in Dallas for Rick Carlisle, long regarded as one of the NBA’s top tactical coaches. As the son of longtime NBA coach Paul Silas, he’s essentially an NBA lifer.

Here’s a rundown of Silas’ coaching career to date:

1999–2000 Charlotte Hornets (scout)
2000–2002 Charlotte Hornets (assistant)
2002–2003 New Orleans Hornets (assistant)
2003–2005 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2005–2006 Washington Wizards (scout)
2006–2010 Golden State Warriors (assistant)
2010–2018 Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (assistant)
2018–present Dallas Mavericks (assistant)

GM Daryl Morey, who reportedly liked Silas in 2016, is leaving the Rockets as of Nov. 1. However, his replacement (Rafael Stone) is an internal promotion who was also heavily involved in the 2016 search.

At 47, Silas was the youngest of the three candidates believed to be in Houston’s list of finalists, meaning that he could have staying power.

It is not yet known who will serve as Silas’ assistants, though John Lucas — a three-time NBA head coach and recently Houston’s director of player development under D’Antoni — is reportedly a strong candidate. A timetable for the formal announcement of Silas, as well as the coaching staff on his bench for the 2020-21 season, is not yet available.

Stay tuned to Rockets Wire for further updates on this breaking story.

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Report: Salary unlikely to dictate Rockets’ final coaching decision

“It’s sort of the going rate,” Jonathan Feigen said. “You don’t get this far into the process and then say, ‘Oh, that’s what you want?'”

The bad economics of 2020, caused largely by COVID-19, have not been friendly to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. Including the NBA, Fertitta’s businesses operate primarily in the hospitality space, which is among the hardest-hit sectors due to changes in consumer behavior.

However, veteran Houston Chronicle beat writer Jonathan Feigen doesn’t believe that those finances will play a major role in shaping the team’s choice between three apparent finalists for its vacant head coaching position: Jeff Van Gundy, Stephen Silas, and John Lucas.

When asked on Sunday’s Texas Sports Nation television show whether Fertitta would pay top dollar for a head coach, given the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, here’s how Feigen responded:

There’s sort of [salary] scales. I don’t think Stephen Silas will earn what Jeff Van Gundy — who has already been a [head] coach at two different places, has already been to the Finals — you’re not going to pay Stephen Silas the same amount. Now, if you make John Lucas his lead assistant, you might be paying him more. It might sort of even out. Ty Lue would have been even more, or Doc Rivers, if they had been able to get any traction with them.

It’s sort of the going rate. You don’t get this far into the process and then say, ‘Oh, that’s what you want?’ People know, this is what a veteran coach makes, and this is what a first-time coach makes. I think it would work out pretty close to evenly, because if you have a consigliere, he gets paid somewhat more. Kind of like Ty Lue did last year with the Clippers. He got more than other assistant coaches would. The guys who really get the giant numbers, they’re gone now. Basically Doc, and he’s in Philadelphia. So I don’t think that’s a factor.

In contrast to the players on each team’s roster, there is no salary cap on coaching staff investments for NBA teams.

Elsewhere in the segment, Feigen said that he believed the hire would be Van Gundy or Silas, with Lucas as a potential assistant for both. However, Feigen said Lucas could be especially likely as an assistant to Silas, since Lucas has previous NBA experience as a head coach and Silas does not.

Regardless of the choice, Feigen believes it will be known shortly. “It could be any day,” he said. “We really could be pretty close, at this point.”

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Jeff Van Gundy, Stephen Silas reportedly Houston’s top choices

“I really think at this point, it’s going to be Jeff Van Gundy or Stephen Silas,” said Jonathan Feigen, a longtime Rockets beat writer.

The most established Houston media member to cover the Rockets believes that former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy or current Dallas assistant Stephen Silas will most likely be the team’s next head coach.

Jonathan Feigen, who has been the Houston Chronicle‘s Rockets beat writer since 1998, appeared on Sunday’s Texas Sports Nation television program and was asked about the state of the coaching search.

While acknowledging the three frontrunners of Van Gundy, Silas, and director of player development John Lucas, Feigen said he believes that there’s a clear top two among that trio. Among his comments:

I really think at this point, it’s going to be Jeff Van Gundy or Stephen Silas. John Lucas was and is a candidate, and a good candidate that they very seriously considered and are considering. But I think it’s those two.

I think it’s taking a little time, because the determination is… they want to have the different voices heard. Basketball operations, led by Rafael Stone, the new GM. Ownership, Tilman Fertitta and Patrick Fertitta, they want them on the same page.

Feigen said the extended nature of the search, which has lingered since Mike D’Antoni’s Sept. 13 announcement that he would not return, is likely in part due to the team’s desire to involve players in the decision.

They want player input. They want players to feel like, ‘Yeah, I want to go to work for this guy, with this guy.’ This is their [player] offseason, guys are scattered. There is no reason to rush. There’s no timetable pressure.

Feigen also said that Lucas could be a key part of the staff of assistant coaches for either Van Gundy or Silas, but especially the latter. With Silas, it would be his first job as a head coach, while Lucas has past experience in the lead position for three different NBA franchises.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Stephen Silas, if John Lucas is a big part of that staff. They might want to keep John Lucas regardless, if it’s Jeff or Stephen Silas, if John isn’t the head coach. But if it’s Stephen Silas, a first-time head coach, it would make a lot of sense to have John Lucas as his lead assistant. Either way, it’s a real good choice to have.

On the other hand, if Van Gundy is the preferred option, another reason for the lengthy search could be the desire of the veteran coach to get better acquainted with Houston’s new GM.

Jeff also needs to feel comfortable. One of the reasons Jeff wants to be back, he liked the idea of working with Daryl Morey again. Rafael Stone, at the time, was in the legal department. He was general counsel when Jeff was coaching (2003 to 2007). They knew each other, and would say ‘hi’ in the halls, but I think they need to get to know each other a little better, and more in-depth. Obviously Daryl and Jeff already had that. I think that takes some time, too.

Regardless of the choice, Feigen believes it will come shortly. “It could be any day,” he said. “We really could be pretty close at this point.”

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Woj: Jeff Van Gundy remains the focus of Houston’s coaching search

In contrast to a report by colleague Brian Windhorst, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says Jeff Van Gundy remains the frontrunner in Houston.

In direct contrast to an earlier report by colleague Brian Windhorst, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said Wednesday that Jeff Van Gundy remains the frontrunner to become the next Houston Rockets head coach.

Windhorst, who two weeks ago had pointed to Van Gundy as a strong candidate in Houston, said Wednesday afternoon that he believed “circumstances have changed” between the 58-year-old coach and the Rockets. Windhorst then said he believed that John Lucas, who has worked for the Rockets as Mike D’Antoni’s director of player development under since 2016, was the new frontrunner for the lead position.

However, only hours later, Wojnarowski offered a completely different perspective. Here’s what Woj said on SportsCenter:

Jeff Van Gundy, who last coached in the NBA with the Rockets some 13 years ago… those conversations have continued for the last week, into this week. He’s been at the forefront of that Rockets search.

You know, Daryl Morey stepped away as general manager. So I think the ability of Jeff Van Gundy to get on the same page with ownership, and with the front office — Rafael Stone, the new general manager — and have a sense that everyone could potentially be aligned there, with how that might go.

His conversations have continued with the team. Stephen Silas, who is an assistant in Dallas, is another prominent candidate still in this search. There is one internal candidate, John Lucas, who has a close relationship with James Harden and with the front office. But Jeff Van Gundy has remained the focus of this, and they’re trying to figure out if they can get to a place where it makes sense for both sides.

Full video of the Wojnarowski segment can be watched below.

There is no still definitive timetable for Houston’s hire to be made. With Daryl Morey on his way out, new GM Rafael Stone is leading the search.

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